Time to replace the rubber on the `73 LeMans. I have made up my mind to not go with stock 14`but I do like the OEM look so 15`is where I have landed. This means new wheels too. GTO came standard with 15`wheels and G60x15 tires in 1973. I'd replicate this size and tire. `Question is steelies and poverty caps, I know this is the trend these days so I'm willing to try it.
In 1973 Pontiac offered a standard poverty cap for LeMans and on GTO a Baby Moon was standard. I've got both, which is the way to go?
STANDARD POVERTY CAP
BABY MOONS for GTO
CAR AS IS WITH RALLY II
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 3rd of June 2020 11:38:55 PM
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
The Pontiac Rally II is the best looking factory wheel of any manufacturer in my opinion. The large wheel openings on the '73 and up LeMans are better suited for a taller 15" tire. A wheel spacer bringing the tire out more to the body line will give it a more modern look as well.
If you're looking for a home for the GTO caps I'd be interested for my car to go with the stock steel wheels that it came with.
-- Edited by SD 396 on Thursday 4th of June 2020 06:13:13 AM
Am I missing something here? The rallys are 14", are they not???
Yes that's right.
I'll need new wheels if I go with Rally II and I'll need new steelies if I go hub cap of either design. I'll need new 15" wheels bottom line. Steelies can be bought new stateside for about $105 US and Rally 1I run at least $180 US. I could also source used wheels and refinish them. Regardless it is necessary to change rubber, even though I don't use the car much, likely less that 350 miles per season, the tires are manufacturer in 2005 so well beyond their safety limit.
Thank you for this, I contacted seller last night, waiting..... JJ code correct for 73-77 LeMans. There is one other listing for a set in Mississauga too.
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 4th of June 2020 01:02:12 PM
Am I missing something here? The rallys are 14", are they not???
Yes that's right.
I'll need new wheels if I go with Rally II and I'll need new steelies if I go hub cap of either design. I'll need new 15" wheels bottom line. Steelies can be bought new stateside for about $105 US and Rally 1I run at least $180 US. I could also source used wheels and refinish them. Regardless it is necessary to change rubber, even though I don't use the car much, likely less that 350 miles per season, the tires are manufacturer in 2005 so well beyond their safety limit.
Thanks for the explanation, Ray.
I had the impression you wanted to move away from the rallys, limited choices in 14" tires and change the car's look entirely. (???)
Ignorant as I can be, I now realize your shopping for wheels. If you don't have 15" wheels to go with your "in store" caps, I retract my previous comment and reluctantly suggest you go "repop" 15" rallies out back. (I have little faith in copies, but haven't been there on my nickle.)
I'm a big fan of the "wolf in sheep's clothing" look. I'll jump off here, but not before I reitertate, your car will look 100% better with more tire and wheel out back. (My opinion only. Vicious attacks and death threats expected.) .
Hey cranks38 I agree on more tire, one of the reason I want a change, I also was open to doing steelies, still may. I had the car a long time and thought about changing up the appearance and attitude. Nothing is permanent either and its a bit boring to me. Last time I got bored with it a big block went in so I'm not afraid of drastic change. I think I'm talking myself into steelies and Baby Moons.
Funny thing happened this year. I've had the car parked in my driveway for almost two weeks now, after bringing it out of my daughter's garage a few blocks away. I have had more people stop and ask about the car in two weeks than I have had in the previous 16 years going to shows and shines every week during the summers. Two inquiries on sale of car too. I can't explain it.
-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 5th of June 2020 12:28:57 AM
I'm a fan of Rally IIs on that car but can understand if you wan to change it up a little.
I like the look of dog dishes on some cars but for some reason, for my tastes, the dramatic lines of the 1973 Lemans don't look right with a plain wheel. The baby moons have always looked too featureless to me, to use on any car (again, just my opinon).
It sounds like you are only wanting to consider factory-available wheel options for your car, so I'll assume you had already considered honeycombs, which were an available option for your car.
If not stuck on factory options, I found a few aftermarket options online that IMHO don't look bad (something like 95% of the photos for 1973 Lemans that I found online had Rally IIs on them...).
When I had my '73 Lemans in high school, I had always thought a set of Keystone Classics would have looked good on it. Alas, I had no money so it had the deluxe 14" wheel covers on it the whole time.
Couldn't find a good pic of one with these wheels, so just squint a little and use your imagination:
A few more options - food for thought if nothing else...
And lastly, these are moving a little towards the big wheel/low profile tire spectrum, but again, just food for thought.
If you go with moons on the steel wheels, look into getting a 15" x 8" made for the rear to fill it out more than the 7" would, run a 255/60-15 or for more beef a 275/60-15. A 235/60-15 or 245/60 15 will look good up front on a 7" wheel. That will give it that tough muscular look I think you are going for....
